words // Brandon Richard
This Friday, the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets will play the first ever game in which players will have their personal nicknames on the back of their jerseys. For Miami Heat guard Ray Allen, that nickname will be J. Shuttlesworth, inspired by his character in Spike Lee's 1998 film He Got Game.
The film starred Denzel Washington as Jake Shuttlesworth, a prisoner convicted of killing his wife. Father to top-ranked high school prospect Jesus (played by Ray Allen), Jake is released on parole for a week by the state's governor in attempt to persuade his son to play for the governor's alma mater in exchange for a heavily reduced sentence.
He Got Game is often listed as one of the all-time great sports films and has become a staple in sneaker culture due to its hoops connection and the classic footwear worn by the actors. The most recent re-release of the Air Jordan 13 launch colorway was even tagged with a nickname of 'He Got Game' by collectors.
Almost 16 years after He Got Game hit the silver screen, it sounds like Lee and Allen are mulling the idea of a sequel. Allen told ESPN.com that he and the legendary director have spent time over the last couple months discussing a sequel and throwing ideas back and forth about the project.
"Sequels to most movies are always fluff and not as good as the first," Allen said Tuesday night before the Heat played the New Orleans Pelicans. "But it's something we've been talking about for the last couple months. If we get a really good story line and are able to bring everybody back, then it would be something worth doing."
Lee first teased the possibility of a sequel through social media last summer, but it wasn't made clear whether or not he was serious. Allen says he's committed to making it happen.
"We've got to get Denzel and we've got to get Rosario," Allen said. "Obviously, it's been 15 or 20 years, so there's so many new story lines to talk about."
Sequels are generally hit or miss, but this would obviously be big news to the sneaker community. What do you think about the possibility of a He Got Game sequel? What storylines do you think they could run with?
